Patriots Have Work Lined Up

Calvin Stephens' Goal: Chance At Starting Job

SMITHFIELD, R.I. — It is not going to come easily for Patriots guard Calvin Stephens.

He knew that the moment his triceps tore away from his right arm in training camp last year and he missed the entire season. And he knows it now that he has lost his starting position.

"I require a lot of myself," Stephens said. "I need to do a lot and prove that I belong here."

The proving ground will shift from Bryant College to the Hoosier Dome Saturday night when the Patriots open their exhibition season against the Indianapolis Colts.

Stephens, 24, had been penciled in as a starting guard. He should have insisted on indelible ink. Before he has played an NFL game, Stephens has been benched, which doesn't bode well for him or the Patriots, who had been counting on the 1991 second-round draft pick out of South Carolina to solidify a weak area.

But the reconstruction of the Patriots' offensive line has been a lot like building sand castles at high tide. As soon as a tower of strength is in place, it collapses. Among some of the problems with the offensive line:

Harlow, whose rehabilitation from off-season back surgery has kept him out of every practice in training camp.

Chung, who has missed nearly all of camp because of a contract holdout and the death of his father.

Stephens, whose inexperience in pass-blocking has hindered his attempt to win a starting job.

"I'll be very surprised if he doesn't make the team," MacPherson said. "We love Calvin Stephens, but he is like a rookie because he didn't have any [playing time] last year. He wasn't able to practice and it shows."

In 1991, the Patriots allowed 63 sacks, second-highest in team history (they allowed 66 in 1984). That those problems remain despite numerous moves to derive improvement was evident in the scrimmage with the Giants last Saturday in which the Patriots' offensive line allowed six sacks in a 17-0 loss.

Only two linemen who finished last season as starters for the Patriots will start against the Colts -- Gene Chilton and Armstrong. The other likely starters are Gregg Rakoczy (right guard), Larry Williams (left guard) and Reggie Redding (right tackle). Rakoczy, formerly with the Browns, Williams, a fiveyear veteran who played for the New Orleans Saints last season and Redding, who played 13 games for the Atlanta Falcons last season, were all free agent acquisitions, more stopgap types than long-range solutions.

Harlow (who won't participate in practice until the end of training camp), Chung, or possibly both will be in the lineup when the Patriots open the regular season Sept. 6 in Miami against the Dolphins. But the hope of creating some continuity so crucial in an offensive line is fading.

"It's a concern," MacPherson said.

The line will be better than it was a year ago and it has the potential to be good. But it will take time.

"I think we'll be a growing group," Stephens said. "With time we'll get better and better. I don't think it's going to be grab a few people here and it's going to be magic. Hopefully one day we'll be a great group."

Millen to start against Colts Hugh Millen will open at quarterback against the Colts and will play three or four series depending on their duration. Tommy Hodson and Scott Zolak will split the rest of the playing time. ... The Patriots will have double-session practices with the San Diego Chargers next Tuesday and Wednesday at Bryant.